Diddy Talks Ciroc
It’s rare that a humble blogger likes myself gets a solo audience with a cultural icon like Diddy, aka Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, and numerous other monikers. AND YET IT HAPPENED. That’s right, folks. Your humble Drinkhacker sat down mano a mano with the man who stands guard behind Ciroc to talk…
Review: Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon 2000 Vintage
Here’s an outstanding return to form for Evan Williams’ Single Barrel bourbons, which the company’s been bottling for years, an amazing whisky that I highly recommend. The 2000 Single Barrel shares a lot of DNA with the 1999, but while last year’s version is noteworthy for its lightly bitter, wood and charcoal finish, the 2000…
Review: Deschutes Brewery Hop Trip (2009)
The 2009 edition of Deschutes’ seasonal brew, Hop Trip, is a nice little pale ale. Really easy drinking, but with a good slug of bitter hops character. On first blush it’s strong, almost IPA style, but it quickly settles down into a more nuanced style, with a surprising bit of honey and citrus-like sweetness in…
Review: Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish Bourbon
Just hitting the market this month comes Woodford Reserve’s latest limited-edition bourbon, aged in specially treated barrels to create a distinct flavor profile. With its Seasoned Oak Finish, Woodford Reserve ages the new make spirit in over-seasoned oak which has been exposed to extreme weather conditions for up to five years before being fashioned into…
Review: The Balvenie DoubleWood 12, PortWood 21, Single Barrel 15, and Madeira Cask 17 (2009)
Last night, The Balvenie was kind enough to host a few media types for a dinner and tasting of its four current release Scotch bottlings, including its Madeira Cask 17 Years Old, which just arrived in the U.S. a week ago. Some of these are classic bottlings that have been around for years (seriously —…
Review: Drambuie Liqueur
Some things never change, and in the case of Drambuie, it’s the insides that haven’t been altered at all. But Drambuie has updated its bottle for the first time in years, giving it a much more modern look. Giving the stuff a fresh taste, the Scotch-based liqueur is just as syrupy and sweet as you…
Review: 2007 Otis Kenyon “Matchless” Red Wine
Walla Walla, Washington’s Otis Kenyon offers this new creation, “Matchless,” a 70% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon blend inspired by an ancestor (James Kenyon) who burned a rival’s office to the ground. He was a dentist, of course. This wine — the singed edges on the label are meant to evoke the ancient arson — doesn’t…